Municipal Bond Financing
Sources...
Municipal bond
issues are providing
a source of mortgage
money for home
buyers.
The
special advantage to
borrowers is that
municipal bonds pay
interest that is
tax-free from
federal income
taxes. Knowing this,
bond investors will
accept a lower rate
of interest than
they would if the
interest were
taxable-as it
normally is on
mortgage loans. This
savings is passed on
to the home buyer.
Those who qualify
will typically pay
about 3% less than
if they had borrowed
through conventional
channels.
The objective of
such programs is to
make home ownership
more affordable for
low and middle
income households.
Also, some cities
stipulate that loans
must be used in
neighborhoods that
local officials want
to revitalize. The
bonds themselves are
not backed by the
full faith and
credit of the
municipality
sponsoring them, but
the mortgages made
with them do carry
mortgage insurance.
Loans are made by
local lenders who
are paid a fee for
originating and
servicing these
loans. Although
popular with the
real estate
industry, the U.S.
Treasury has been
less than
enthusiastic about
the concept because
it bears the cost in
lost tax revenues.
As a result,
legislation has been
passed that limits
the future use of
this source of
money.
Municipal bond
To Other Lenders
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